The-News-Leader.com - Chamber Chatter: Indians PR chief is this month's guest speaker

by Laura Sparano, Chamber executive director
It's almost too late to RSVP for this month's Chamber meeting, scheduled for July 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Gambitta's Party Center. Call right now and we'll save you a seat.

We are pleased to announce that our speaker will be Dan DiBiasio, vice president of public relations for the Cleveland Indians.

On the menu this month is barbeque baby back ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, rolls and cole slaw -- the prefect summertime lunch. Admission for Chamber members is $15. Admission for non-members is $20. This meeting is graciously sponsored by Ahola Payroll Services. The entire community is welcome to come.

Don't forget the new RSVP policy -- if you forget to let us know you're coming, it will cost you $20 to get in. To reserve your seat, call the Chamber office at 330-467-8956.

Chamber 101
equals success

Maximize Your Membership at Chamber 101. Learn how benefits plus awareness plus involvement equals growth and success for your business.

Come to this free seminar to learn about all the benefits that are offered to you through membership.

Whether you are a new or established business, recent member or hitting your 20-year anniversary with the Chamber, you will learn something different that can help you promote your business.

Jump to the head of the class. All graduates will receive a diploma. The class valedictorian will be awarded a special "scholarship" -- a three-minute infomercial at the August Chamber meeting. All attendees will receive a free gift.

Thank you to our host and sponsor, Reinecker's Bakery and Party Center, 8575 Freeway Drive in Macedonia.

This year, Chamber 101 will take place July 31 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Please RSVP to 330-467-8956 by July 28. A continental breakfast will be served.

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Pat Dees Pub & Eatery is involved in the Poker Run "Ride for the Cure of Pancreatic Cancer" on Aug. 2. This motorcycle ride begins at 9 a.m., takes you to five stops and will end with the last bike in about 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Pat Dees at 330-467-8879.

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Church of the Hills is hosting a "Faith and Family Sunday" July 13 at 10 a.m. at the Nordonia High School Auditorium. The special guest speaker is Travis Fryman, former five-time American League All-Star, Cleveland Indians third baseman and 2008 manager of the Class-A Indians affiliate, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. There will also be a gift for each family that attends.

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The Macedonia Family Recreation Center is looking for sponsors and goodie bag items for the its 2008 Scorchin' Summer Classic. This grass volleyball tournament will take place July 19 at Longwood Park. Their mission is to start a youth program in the Nordonia Hills area. For more information, call Chris Griffith at 330-468-8375.

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If you're a Chamber member, you received your membership renewal invoice for 2008-09 sometime during the first week of May. Your payment of that invoice covers your Chamber membership until June 1, 2009. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when people decide, for whatever reason, not to renew. Even my begging and offers of organs for future transplants can't change their minds. I usually make some comment about how we miss hearing about their business, how long it's been since we've seen them and remind them of upcoming events. It's not always easy to convince someone if their mind is made up. But sometimes the benefits of membership are not always tangible. You may not see direct results of the efforts and investment you put into the Chamber. However, there is an ancient script that says, "What you give out, you will get back many times over." And sometimes when you make a deposit in the "blue bank," your return may not come from that bank, but will come back indirectly from the "yellow bank." You never know when the networking and the referrals will pay off.

For those of you who are not involved, I challenge you to go for it! Roll up your sleeves and pitch in with those who are. Through your participation, the Chamber and our communities will benefit even more. And ultimately you will benefit as well.

Together, with the wealth of wisdom, professionalism and volunteerism, we'll make the 2008-09 Chamber year a banner year. Plan on being a part of it.

And, if you're not already a member of our Chamber, this is an invitation for you. We cordially invite you to join the Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce. If you have never been asked or have not been asked in a while, consider yourself invited.

You can even join online -- 24 hours a day -- at www.nordoniahillschamber.org. Check out our web site and you'll be surprised at how many events and benefits we offer to help make your business a success. As always, feel free to call the office at 330-467-8956.